Android’s Gemini AI Leaps Ahead of Siri With Multi-Step Task Handling

Google's Gemini AI can now handle multi-step tasks on Android, making it more like an on-device agent that can get things done across apps rather than just answering prompts in a chat window. Google says the feature is currently in early preview on a limited set of flagship phones and in a small set of markets.

For now, multi-step tasking focuses on everyday to-do list items; users can ask Gemini to order their favorite takeout, schedule a grocery pickup, or book a cab. The assistant then navigates supported apps on their behalf and stops at a confirmation screen.

Google built the feature on an "intelligent OS" approach for Android, where users can long-press the power button to open Gemini and provide natural-language instructions. Gemini follows these instructions in virtual windows across supported apps. It taps into existing app data, such as saved addresses and order histories, to speed up ...